WS Chronicle

By Janice Jennings

The crowd of curious and chatty souls pursued imaginary criminals on Patterson Avenue, on a recent Thursday night. Twelve weeks of classes spent in the Winston-Salem Police Department’s (WSPD) Citizens Police Academy (CPA), culminated in a hands-on evening in the forensics lab, where we learned to work a crime scene, made impressions of tiny boot-prints with dental stone, lifted fingerprints from a range of surfaces, and tested biological samples for blood. It was an experience none of us will soon forget.

Welcomed into the WSPD community by officers and support staff alike, it was clear that the entire team takes pride in the work they do. They like and respect each other, and they believe 100% in their role to protect and serve each of us. 

On night one, Chief Penn explained that community engagement is the primary goal of the academy. Recruiting for the understaffed department is another. To their credit, they delivered on both points.

Prior to our forensics session, we met with the SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team and the Bomb Squad. We spent time with the gang, traffic enforcement, accident investigations, motorcycle, driving while impaired (DWI), criminal investigations, evidence, and drone units. We met a high-energy police dog and her handler. We rode with patrol officers and sat with 911 operators. The explanations, personal stories, and the ability to witness what the police department does every single day were greatly appreciated.

Some of what we did was more serious. After an educational session with a city attorney to learn about constitutional law, laws of arrest, search and seizure, and another session on the use of deadly force, we entered the (optional) Firearms Training Simulator (FAST), a life-sized virtual reality tool. 

I faced a simulated domestic violence scenario. I had to assess the situation, choose the right imaginary weapon (a taser, pepper spray or a gun) from my pretend duty belt, and make a deadly force decision. Elapsed time: twelve seconds. That’s another experience I won’t soon forget.

Perhaps the coolest thing we saw is our Real Time Crime Center (RTCC); one of the first in the nation to connect real-time camera feeds from participating local businesses to a police department analytical unit. Coupled with other technology, traffic cameras, license plate readers, and a range of software tools, the RTCC enables a surge of appropriate resources to high-crime areas and active crimes in progress.

Our class was highly impressed with everyone we met, and everything we witnessed. A mix of retirees, working people and college students, more than a few of us had signed up for the course to learn more, ahead of considering a career in law enforcement. 

At our graduation, Chief Penn reminded us that they are hiring. To paraphrase him, “If you have a servant’s heart, we have a place for you. If you are that kid who got ‘talks too much’ on your report card, we have a place for you. If you like solving puzzles, we have a place for you.” Pointing first to his mouth, he said, “We want people who use this.” Then, pointing to his head, he added, “or this.” Finally, pointing to his weapon-laden duty belt he said, “before they ever think of using these.” 

That sentiment represents what our entire class felt: We have an incredible police department. Smart, good people, doing all they can to keep us safe. Several of us are hoping to join them. 

You can learn more about the Citizens Police Academy and apply for the 2025 class on the city’s website: cityofws.org.

Janice Arrowood Jennings is a 30-year resident of Winston Salem and a member of Winston-Salem Writers. She is a graduate of the W-S Citizens Police Academy, the W-S Citizens Fire Academy, and City of Winston-Salem University.